Description
7" Southwestern Modernist Sterling bracelet with freeform turquoise. Tested and guaranteed sterling, signed by the artisan with no purity markings. Fits up to a
7" wrist.
Mike Bird-Romero is an accomplished jeweler known for his technical mastery,
innovation, and respect for historical techniques and designs. Born in 1946 in
San Juan Pueblo, his artistic interests were fostered in a household of
creativity. His grandmother Luteria Atencio was a respected potter whose works
are in the Smithsonian Institution. His mother Lorencita Bird was an
accomplished and well-known Pueblo textile artist and educator. After learning
some basic metal-working skills in junior high school, Mike began serious work
with metals in the late 1960s, teaching himself from books on the topic and
buying some old tools while making others. By the 1980s, Mike had emerged as a
major figure in contemporary Native American jewelry making. Selecting only the
best, most dramatic materials, Mike became known for bold, sculptural
interpretations of traditional designs.
Although he is largely a self-taught artist, Mike’s work has been influenced
both by extensive research into historic Navajo and Pueblo jewelry and by
observing great silversmiths who lived near his home including Mark Chee and
Julian Lovato. A true student of Pueblo tradition, Mike is inspired by old
photographs of Indians wearing historical jewelry. “I am trying to revive the
old jewelry,” he explains.
Mike’s hallmark, two small birds, is found on the back of his pieces.
Tribal Affiliation
San Juan and Taos Pueblo
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed, any Native American jewelry
referred to as Silver or Sterling is guaranteed to be a minimum of 90% (coin)
silver and possibly higher content. Anything marked is guaranteed to be what
it's marked, most bracelets are photographed on a 6" wrist (non hairy), rings
photographed on the appropriate sized finger when possible. With bracelets if
the measurement is not given in the description then inside circumference is
shown where the metal meets the number on the the cloth tape measure.
